Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, but cities like Geneva and Zurich usually take the lion’s share of headlines regarding the country.
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Aside from its refined and glamorous cities, Switzerland is usually mentioned alongside and high-class winter sports hotspots like St. Moritz.
If you’ve got the funds and the skis to go for a winter wonderland trip to St. Moritz—go for it. But if not, I’d like to sell you a different type of adventure in the Swiss Alps.
Rather than book a trip to one of the area’s incredibly lovely villages during Christmas, I suggest you do the exact opposite.
I recommend heading to Switzerland during the height of summer when other places in Europe, like Barcelona and Santorini, are boiling under the sun. As hot zones face climbing temperatures, cantons like Graubunden, Bern, Valais, and Uri enjoy temperate summers thanks to their altitude.
Even at the height of summer, temperatures don’t usually climb above 70—not even when there’s direct sunlight overhead.
And that’s just one of many reasons why Switzerland should be on your radar during the peak summer heat. Crisp weather aside, here are the three main reasons it’s worth your hard-earned vacation days.
City-slicking (or village-slicking?)
Cantons like Graubunden (Grisons) and Valais are packed with cities and villages worth exploring.
Graubunden’s capital of Chur, for example, was founded way back in 3000 BC, making it the oldest city in the country. Much of its Medieval stonework has been restored, making much of this city look like a set from Game of Thrones.
In fact, this is a theme throughout the mountainous region. You’ll find stone-laden villages tucked into emerald valleys with towering mountains sheltering them.
If you’re sticking to Graubunden, I suggest checking out Zernez, Davos, Scuol, and Arosa. You can lodge and dine in these areas before heading back out to hike, swim, and explore.
If you’re heading to Valais, make sure to stop in Saillon, Albinen, Grimentz, and Niedergesteln. The latter two also showcase a lot of dark woodwork common throughout the Alps.
Scenic views & natural wonders
It should come as no surprise: the Alps are absolutely breathtaking.
Though they’re known for winter sports thanks to hefty snowfall and great slopes, there’s plenty to do in summertime.
Obviously, hiking on trails and swimming in Alpine lakes are favorite pastimes for locals across the country. But you can also do things like kayak and even windsurf.
Over the last few years, paragliding and zip-lining have also taken off. Mountain biking is also accessible, as many villages offer rentals for visitors.
But there’s one summertime favorite that you can’t miss: tobogganing.
For most Americans, tobogganing is an old-timey word for sledding. But tobogganing in summertime in Switzerland is a little bit different.
Usually, it involves riding carts down steel tubes—and it’s not for the faint of heart. Some of these run for thousands of feet downhill, which means riders can reach speeds of up to almost 25mph.
The right atmosphere
Cool temperatures, stunning medieval villages, and a long list of outdoor activities should be more than enough to convince the average traveler to schedule a visit to the Swiss Alps.
But in reality, I think one of the main attractions is the mellow atmosphere.
In Switzerland, as with most other parts of Europe, vacation is treated as an almost sacred form of downtime.
There’s no rushing, no schedules, and definitely no stress. As you explore its villages, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in this slower and sweeter lifestyle.
Though there are certainly nightlife scenes to explore and summer festivals dotting the country, the Swiss Alps get a bit sleepy for summer. I mean that in a good way, of course.
So if noisy crowds and heat indexes in the 90s give you nightmares, join me in the Swiss Alps this summer. I’ll be tobogganing down a mountain on my way to an oversized Aperol Spritz.
